Hopper discharge outlet sealing sliding closure assembly



G. B. DOREY Aug. 13, 1963 HOPPER DISCHARGE UTLET SEALING SLIDING CLOSUREASSEMBLY Original Filed Nov. l0, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR I Aug.l13, 1963 cs-v B. DOREY HOPPER DISCHARGE OUTLETSEALING SLIDING CLOSUREASSEMBLY Original Filed Nov. 10, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. B. DOREY Aug.13, y1963 HOPPER DISCHARGE OUTLET SEALING SLIDING CLOSURE ASSEMBLYOriginal Filed Nov. 10, 195B 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ordinated tofunctiontoward the `end ofi"obtaining"rel` United States Patent A203,769Y t 8 Claims. s (CL-105-253) The 'invention' relates to animproved discharge sont# let for a load (containing hopper of the typehaving a discharge opening `and a sliding gate `for the opening; Thisapplication is a `division of my application Serial No.`1772,837, tiledNovember 10,419582 for controlling discharge of lading into a chutelikeen-v Inga structure of this type wherein the openingis sur- '3,100,456Patented Aug. 1.3, 1363 ice 2 to FIG. 7 except that the gate is shown inopened position. s t s FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIGS.` 7and 8 except "that the gate is sho-wn in a midway open position. Y e s w,le l 10 is a sectional view taken through thelug of the" gate andlinkage on a line 1li-T10 oct FIG. 7. l FIG.v ll isa sectional Viewtaken through the ar-m and linkage on a line 11--11ot` FIG. 7. e

FIG. l2v `is averti'cal sectional view taken on a line s l 12-12 of FIG.7, said vie-w being on `an enlarged scale.

t l5` he improvement more particularly relates to that type s p of'hopper having a discharge area with a sliding gate IReferring now tothe drawings, it will be observed 4by reference to FIG. 1 that thepresent invention `is aptherefrom by one side sillV 11 along the lowerpart of a side wall 11.` Between the center sill 10 andthe side e sill11 there is a hoppe'r which is indicated, generally, at

p closure below the opening .defined `by the discharge tarea;

ronnded by a framing enclosure it `is `essential that the gate bemovedby mechanism disposed entirely exteriorly of'tthe chutelikeenclosure and avoid-interference with freeiilow of lading byc'oritaetbetweenthe ladingand mechanism' parts. To this endthe improvedarrangement contemplatesla structurel wherein the operating mecha-` nismis completelyVseparatedsffrom the lading.

The objects ofthe invention among others are to prop vide an improvedstructure wherein La gate operating vantage is multiplied at theinitiation of the gate opening p movement and obtain high `breakawayforcejto separate the gate Kfrom 'vtheladin-g; toprovide improvedtoggleacting mechanism for moving the gate Vand maintaining t; 1

said gate in either closedor open position; toV provide a sliding gateWithf'upstanding side hanges and "housings overlying said flanges toprevent seepage oflading ats-the sides of the gate; tto provide asliding ygate with onverging side ilanges arranged to register `withsimilarly conveng` 1'2. It will be understoodV that two or more pairs ofloa'd containing hoppers, such as the hopper 12, are located on oppositesides of the center sill 10. Since the construction for each hopper 12is identical, only one is shown. The hopper 12 is formed by oppositelysloping floors 13 and 14 and outer and inner side walls 15 and 16. Thelloors 13 and 14 and the side walls 15 and 16 are joined "to `formfour-sided `discharge area 17 through which'lading in the hopper 12 caniow downwardly.

Surrounding the discharge area 17 at the lower margins Iofthe oppositelysloping floors 13 and 14 and side walls 15v and 16 is a four-sidedchute-like enclosure in the form of a framewhich isindicated, generally,at 1S. The frame 18 in the present embodiment preferably consists of astructure fabricated of plates and bar members. It is secured by Weldingor riveting'to the lower margins of the oppositely sloping floors 13 and14 "and side walls 15 and 16. It will beobserved thatthe-frame `1Sincludes upper Walls 19and` 20 which overlie the oppositely slopingfloors and 14.1 Also thel frame 18 includes upper sidewalls 21 andVZZWhich overliefthe outerand inner side Walls 15 4and 16 respectively.-The upper walls 19 and 21 int clude depending Vportions 23 Tand 25respectively and wall ing upper-walls of housings-enclosing said dangeswhen `-the gate is in closed position; and to provide #a gate sokmounted and mechanism so relatedasltobiasthe gateto Y a completelyclosed position.

The invention further `resides Vin certain jdetails "of coning athree-sided enclosure for ,a sliding gate 27.

struction associated the movement-of the gate'and t t in the mannervarious elements are associated and'co-K liable operation and a tightlyclosed? openingt Foniurther comprehension of thetinveiitio'ii reference.t

may be had .to `the accrnpanying :drawingswlieiein *ith improvementisfshown as applied Ito the hd eroi t In `said drawings? `FIGfllisiasectional View taken through the lower part ofta'hoppercar.showingsubstantially one half ofthe car with the improved outlet appliedtheretotf-` l i" FIG. 2 is a side elevational View of the'stru-cture`shown FIG. 4 isa vertical ofFIG. 3. .-3

-FIG. `5 is a vertical fractionaldsectional rviewtakenf on la line 5-5of FIG. 3. `v

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view` taken` onta line i FIG. 7 is aventical longitudinal sectional'view'taken through the outlet on a line7-7 of FIG. 3. Y

FIG. 8 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View similar 22 isextendeddownwardly as` at 2 6to cooperate in formln Vorder to slidably support`the gate 27 and hold it in the closed position where discharge oflading through the discharge `area isV prevented, ledges `31, 32 and`lfareprovided s It vwill be understood that thegatel27 is slidablysupported on ledges 32V and 33 at its sides and on ledge 31A tatthejleading'end when the gate "27 is in fully closed positionas`-show'n in FIGS. Zand 7 of thedrawings. p

, The ledges'Z and 33 preferably consist of at bar mem 55 bersofappreeiable width, and extend beyond the discharge area to providecantileve'rextensionsf34 and 35 to support the' gateiinopenfposition.The said; ledges 32` andv33are disposed at anlincline tobias the gatetowardclos'ed position. `Extending transversely between the bars formingledges `32tandl"33 there is a wall member 36 which with dependingportions 25 and 26 inVcornbination with Wall 23 and the rail members 32and 33 vforms a four-sided enclosure tot-receiveand direct the ow oflading `from the hoppen l i i Itwill be understood that a removabledischarge chute (not shown) is arranged to be connected-to rthe lowerportiontpf the chute-like extension when the gate 27 iS opened`for.discharge of lading. In order to hold such a removable chute inposition lugs 37 are provided on and extend outwardly from the lowermargin of chute Walls 23 and 25. Grooves 38 and 39 extend from thechuteV Walls 26 and 36`for receiving :an outwardly extending s hichextend from'thedepending wallsl 23,25 and t 26 q'jespectivel inclined tothe main body ofthe 9 i' 5D -w iiange on the upper end of the removablechute above refer-red'to and the lugs 37 are arranged tohave such flangeclamped thereto.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 7 of the drawings the upper'wall 20 Yhasan undersurface 40 beveled to lie adjacent the upper surface of the gate27 and said surface jconstitute's theu'pperfsurfaceof a slot 41 thelower yside of which'is formed by an upper surface 42 of the wall 36,.`It'will b e understood that the gate 27 is movable through arobase vshaft 58 for effecting rotation of the latter by means of Va suitableoperating bar as indicated at 73 and a series of openings 74 is formedinY the head for receiving such abar. L 7 l The shaft 58 is arranged tobe locked ininal position when the gate is in closed position by meansof a'locking dog 75 pivotally mounted on therail 34 at 76andswingableinto engagementwith an abutment 77 on the operating shaft-53.lThe dog 7'5"and theabutment 77 are'pro- 43. The sideedges of the gate 27are each formed with upwardly extending iianges 45-45 which incombination with lflange 44-V provides a three-sided pan-shaped gate.

Hoods 46 and 47 extend inwardly from the side walls 25 and 26andfo'verliethe side lianges of the gate when the latter is in closedposition.y The said hoods each include an upper sloping roof portion48vand a depending vertical wall section 49 and are secured inposition'by'weld# ing to the respective side walls `and 26 as indicatedat 50. The side flanges -45 taper lfro'rn'the trailing to the l leadingVedge of the -gate to present a beveled edge 51 as one vface of a wedgeand cooperating with each said beveled Vedge when the gate is in closedposition, is the undersurface 52 of 'the'v hoods 46and 47 which are alsoengage theedge 51 of the gate. Y Y

The gate'27 vis movable to open position along the extension rails v34and V35 as indicated'inFIGS. 8 and9,

with the latter 'shown' in midway open-position. vThe trailing end ofthe lgate is restrained against vertical-displacement during itsmovement along the rails by means of guide strips SEV-53 disposed ontheinnerside of the rails34 and 35 which are'embraced by lugs 54 on the Thelugs 54 are preferably formed bythe projecting ends of a bar :55 whichextends transversely across 'theu'nderf side of the gate'and lisspaceditherefrom: by blocks 56 to provide vspacing clearance toaccommodate the guide strips 53 betweenthe undersurface `of the gate andVthesaid lugs 54.V

The outer ends Vof the rails -32 and 33 on the cantilever gate toregister with and videdwith registeringapertures 78 and 79 for'receivinga sealing ribbon.

The dog 75 is formed trunnions Sil-450 -which extend 'within apertures81 and 82 formed in walls Y83 and 84 `of a bracket 85. The bracket 85 isfabricated of anangle-shaped piece which includes wall 83 and anangularly related wall which forms the bottom ofthe assembly. The'wall84 is preferably a ilat plate which is united to the Wall 86 by weldingat 8 7. The bracket assembly is'secured'to the rail 32 on the cantileverextension l34 ,by welding at `8 8 and 89 and when assembled with thedog` and positioned on the Y rail the bottom wall 86functions as a stopto limit swinging movement of the dog. It will be vobserved by referenceto with'the axis 9950i the pivot 6l Vconnecting the linkage and arms,liessubst'antially V on this line thereby obtaining the multipliedmechanical advantage of the closing actionk of a toggle'mechanism. The"mechanical advantage obtained by the 'closingaction of atogglemechanism acting e as it does toward the end ofthe gate closingoperation and directly on the end of the Vgate is of-irnportance inforcing the gate to the final closed position and thereby facilitatingthe displacement of any residue of lading which might be retained on theledges, Y

v a midway position is reached as seen in FIG. 9 after which 1 oncontinuedmovement of the gate the mechanical ad-v vantageagairrincreasesaY In the present arrangementsuch adverse eifect as mightarise at the midway positionfrom:

extensions. 34 and 35 are each provided with a bearing 57 v in which ashaft 58 is rotatably mounted. The shaft 58 is preferably ofYnon-circular form and is provided withl circularly shaped sleeves 59which t inthe bearings 5T Vand form=journalsfor the shaft.-Non-rotatablymoun'ted on `the shaftSS are apair of anrns'60-6ll-whic'hare pivot# ally united at 61 with linkage 62 .and said linkage in Vturntrunnionsfadjacent each'endg; said trunnions `66 constitutinglthe pivots6 1'and63-of the linkage. l` The arms ytogether by a'plate-like member69 which is welded to the links at and said member is extendedwellbeyond the pivot 61 towards the axis ofl the shaft 5S and form anabutment 71 to engage with the pivoted armand limit knuckling movementbetween the arm and linkage.`

kAn' operating head 72 is fitted on Vthe outer end of the e0y ,6 0 areaperturedat'67xfor receiving the trunnions 66 and Conversely theopeningaction of thetoggle mechanism Y provides essentialbreakaway force forVinitiating movement fof the gatein an opening direction; It will beapprec iated that asthe Vgaternovesin anppening direction the'mechanical advantage above referred todecreases until the lengthof thearms is; largely mitigated by placingV the.

- axis of the shaft well below the level ofthe runwayon.

which the gate slides with the pivotal connection between the linkageand the gate disposedA adjacent the runway at Y e theextreme end ofthegate thus limiting the angle of pull` Y bet-weenthe runway :and thelinkage as seen at 91. The

" -""f'6,b h gn.. is pivotallyconnected with the trailing endmofthegatejl plvot axl's a ""1 etween t e arms 6 60 and lmkages" at 63whichis there fitted with 4lugs 64 forv receiving the;

pivot ofthe linkage. 'l v 'l t The linkage 62 preferably consists ofa-pairofelong'ated Y links 64including abodyportionS and integrallyformed 62f-'f62-p`asse'sf through the path of vmovement ofthe gate -.2 7v,when it is mfov'ed'from itheclosed position,. shown in kFIG. ,7,Athrough its intermediate position, `shown'in Y V9, to its fullopenpositiom shownV in FIG. 8,. Even'though the angle of pullis`conservatively maintained byzthe relative position fof theshaftandfgate there Visa. lifting tendency forfthe trailingv end o f thegate and suchltendency e ,is counteracted by engagementbetween the-lugs'5.4y and rthe guide strips153. i Y .f A 1 The arms Atlareipreferatilylocatedimnediately adjacent the inner "side ofthe railmembers34 andy35.V and are* held on the shaft against y'axial movement by.. rivets92;` Y

Hub extensions.93*are-providedfat each side of the arms 'and saidextensions 93 engage with the linkage y62 to limit y rotating movementVof the (shaft upon movement of the gate to full 'open position. f

^ What is claimed asv new is':

" 1. In combination,V l

(a) a four-sided hopper including wall means defining Y a dischargeopening,

' (b)V a gate movable on said hopper between two of said Iwall means forclosing said discharge opening,

integral laterally extending Y FIGS. Z and 7 that the operatingmechanism, when thegate is in closed posi- V tion assumes substantiallya straight linejpressure from the shaftto the gateacting directly ontheend thereofV (c) said gate having the trailing end extending beyond'another of the Walls and including upstanding flange walls at each sidethereof extending in the general direction of movement of the gate, and

(d) hood means extending inwardly from said hopper :wall means formingVchambers overlying the side Iilanges ofthe gate, y i

(e) said side flanges of the gate tapering in depth from the trailingend of the gate and said chambers having corresponding inclined roofportions presenting undersurfaces adapted to register therealong withthe upper edges of the side flanges in wedging relation when the gate isin closed position.

2. In combination, g

(a) a four-sided hopper including wall means dening a discharge opening,i

(b) 4a gate movable on said hopper between two of said wall means forclosing said discharge opening,

(c) said gate having the trailing end extending beyond .another of theWalls and including upstanding flange walls at each side thereofextending in the general direction of movement of the gate, t

(d) hood means extending .inwardly from said hopper Wall means formingchambers overlying the side anges of the gate,

(e) said side flanges of the gate tapering height from the trailing endof the `gate and said chambers having corresponding inclined roofportions presenting undersurfaces adapted to register therealong withthe upper edges of the side rilanges in wedging relationv when the gateis in closed position, t (f) said Ihood means forming complementarygrooves for said side flanges in which their upper surfaces engage theundersurlfaces of said hood means to provide sealing engagementtherebetween when said gate is in fully closed position, and

(g) means lfor moving said gate between open and closed positions.

3. A discharge outlet assembly comprising, in cornbination, 1

(a) a yfour-sided chute-like enclosure defining a discharge opening,

(b) a `gate for said opening movable beyond one of the `sides of saidenclosure to open position,

(c) support means on opposite sides of said enclosure extending towardeach other on which said gate is movable,

(d) said gate including an upstanding flange wall at each side extendingin the general directionof movement or" the gate and tapering in heightfrom `a lo- .r

cation adjacent said one side of said enclosure when said gate is inclosed position,

(e) ledge means along each of said opposite sides of said enclosure inoverlying relation to the respective side flange of said `gate andforming complementary grooves therefor in which their upper surfaces.engage inclined undersurfaces of said ledge `means therealong to providesealing engagement therebetween when said gate is fully closed, and

(f) means for moving said gate -between open and closed positions.'

4. A discharge outlet assembly comprising, in combination,

(a) a four-sided chute-like enclosureV defining a discharge opening,

(b) a gate for said opening movable beyond `one of the sides of saidenclosure to openposition,

(c) support means on opposite sides of said enclosure extending towardeach other on which said gate is movable, l

(d) said gate including an upstanding flange wall at each side extendingin the general direction of movement of the gate and tapering in heightfrom a location adjacent said one side of said enclosure when said gateis in closed position,

(e) ledge means along each of said opposite sides of said enclosure inoverlying relation to the `respective side flange of said gate andhaving inclined undersurfaces ycomplementary to the upper surfaces ofsaid side flanges therealong to provide sealing engagement therebetweenwhen said lgate is fully closed, and

(f) means for moving said `gate between open and closed positions. A

5. The invention, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the support means onwhich the gate ismovable are run- Ways having surfaces on which said4gate is slidable and which surfaces are inclined downwardly from theone side-of the enclosure beyond which said gate is slidable to openposition toward the opposite side and said run- -ways extend beyond saidone side and `support said gate in open position. t H

6. A discharge outlet assembly comprising, in combination,

(a) a four-sided chute-like enclosure defining a discharge opening,

(b) a gate for said opening movable beyond one of the sides of saidenclosure to open position,

(c) support means on opposite sides of said enclosure extending towardeach other on which said gate is movable,

(d) said gate including an upstanding flange -wall at each sideextending in the general direction of movement of the gate and taperingin height from a location adjacent said one side of said enclosure whensaid gate is in closed position,

(e) ledge means along each of said opposite sides `of said enclosure inoverlying relation to the respective side -iiange of said gate andhaving inclined undersurfaces complementary to the upper surfaces ofsaid side flanges therealong when said gate is fully closed, and

(f) means for 'moving said gate between open and closed positions. v

7. A discharge outlet assembly comprising, in cornbination,

(a) a chute-like enclosure defining a discharge openlngs (b) a gate forsaid opening movable beyond' one sid of said enclosure to open position,

(c) support means on opposite sides of said enclosure extending towardeach other on which `said gate is movable beyond said one side,

(d) said gate including an upstanding lflange `vvall' at each sideextending in the general direction of movement of the gate and taperingin height from a location adjacent said one side of said enclos-ure whensaid gate is in closed position,

(le) ledge means along each of said opposite sides of said `enclosure inoverlying relation to the respective side flange of said gate andyforming complementary grooves therefor in which their upper sur-` facesengage inclined undersurfaces of said ledge means therealong to provide`sealing engagement therebetween when said gate is fully closed, and

(f) means for moving said gate between open and `closed positions.

8. A discharge outlet assembly comprising, in combination,

(a) a chute-like enclosure dening a discharge openllg,

(b) a gate for said'opening movable beyond one side of said enclosure toopen position,

(c) support means on opposite sides of said enclosure extending towardeach other on which said gate is movablebeyond said one side,

(d) said gate including an upstanding flan-ge Wall at each sideextending in the general direction of movement of the gate and taperingin height Afrom a Y References Cited in the 111e of this patentV UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Bellows Mar. 6, 1900 Brenzinger May 26, 1903 Quinn June28, 1910 y Harrigan Mar. 28, 1911 Coleman July 18,1911

Wright Mar. 12, 11912 Hosceit July 14, 1931 Boyd Apr. 24, 1934 HankinsJan. 24, 1939 Hankins ian. 24, 1939 Stock Apr. 15, 19411 Weniger Apr.20, 1943 Hertrich Dec. 28, 1943 Dorey May 12, '19153 Almas Dec. 15, 1953Dorey Sept.y 28, 1953 Zimmer Mar. 20, 1956 Withall June 26, 1956 -DoreyNov. 11, 1958 yBatlno r Ian. 20, 1959 Fritz June 2, 1959 Dath Aug. 111,1959 Lindstrom June 20, 1961

1. IN COMBINATION, (A) A FOUR-SIDED HOPPER INCLUDING WALL MEANS DEFININGA DISCHARGE OPENING, (B) A GATE MOVABLE ON SAID HOPPER BETWEEN TWO OFSAID WALL MEANS FOR CLOSING SAID DISCHARGE OPENING, (C) SAID GATE HAVINGTHE TRAILING END EXTENDING BEYOND ANOTHER OF THE WALLS AND INCLUDINGUPSTANDING FLANGE WALLS AT EACH SIDE THEREOF EXTENDING IN THE GENERALDIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF THE GATE, AND (D) HOOD MEANS EXTENDING INWARDLYFROM SAID HOPPER WALL MEANS FORMING CHAMBERS OVERLYING THE SIDE FLANGESOF THE GATE,